Advancing Women in Snowsports

2020 has been a dumpster fire of a year, however some good at least has come from it! In NSW, we were lucky enough to see the entire season through; Victorians you certainly did it tough and we applaud you.

Despite the tougher times endured throughout the year, 2020 has taught us to use technology to our advantage and the importance of prioritising selfcare. As we all moved online, the APSI hosted its first Online Trainers Co-ordination. The General Manager at the time, Richard Hocking, helped get the ball rolling on something long overdue by raising the issue of gender equality. The ski industry is undoubtedly a male dominated industry and throughout Australian ski resorts there is a considerable lack of female presence and inspiration. Not only for up and coming instructors but accross all snowsport disciplines. Thanks to Richards’ comments, the 2020 Trainers Coordination was a catalyst moment in which current female APSI trainers decided the formation of a committee was needed. We wanted to help further the participation rate and presence of female members throughout the snowsports industry, APSI instructor and trainer pathway.

Following the Trainers Coordination every female trainer; only 16 in total, across all disciplines worked together through a series of Zoom conferences discussing gender issues, industry and brainstorming ways to create change. The result was the idea of creating a committee with the goal to specifically address gender equity within the APSI. The committee will also help to build solidarity and mutual respect among our membership. Through group discussion a decision was made that the proposed committee would have five to six members appointed to 2-year terms. All female trainers were given the opportunity to self-nominate, and then the whole group had the opportunity to vote anonymously, officiated confidentially by Michaela Patton-former Demo Team member and Current Alpine Level 4 Trainer.

Throughout this process the ‘Advancing Women in Snowsports’ (AWS committee) was born. The five women voted in from the eight women who nominated were;

Angela Pope

Shauna Rigby

Jane Scheer

Bobbi Kelly

Chloe Gaffey

Chairwoman, Alpine representative, Thredbo.

Alpine representative, Thredbo.

Nordic representative, Perisher/K7.

Alpine Representative, Perisher.

Snowboard Representative, Perisher.

The inaugural members have agreed to sit upon the AWS committee for a 2-year term before the first renomination period. Working closely and collaboratively with the APSI Board over the 2020 season, we developed a set of Terms of Reference and a framework that the future AWS committee’s could use to foster gender equity. From 2022, the composition will change to also include a minimum of two (female) APSI Members: non-trainers or members not employed in a training capacity by the APSI. This inclusion will allow for greater diversity and having all voices heard. More details on how you can get involved as a committee member will be forthcoming over the following year. sessions, research, and further interactions.

to retain and progress more female members, candidates, and staff. If you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to get in touch at aws@apsi.net.au

Our Vision is an APSI which actively promotes the role of women and creates opportunities to empower females to participate and pursue a career in Snowsports instruction. Our Mission is to implement and sustain long-standing initiatives within the APSI that promote equitable opportunities for women across all areas. The AWS along with the female trainers have formed an approach to allow for change to occur within the APSI. The AWS has developed the following three pillars for action, ‘Education, Inspiration, Interaction’.

The Three Pillars will underpin AWS strategy and the following are examples:

Education Educating members on gender disparity topics, for example, unconscious gender bias and micro aggressive behaviours. Inspiration Providing opportunity for members to engage with female trainers through on-snow clinics, training, networking and events

Promoting awareness of the power and effects of language.

Supporting and/or encouraging members to report discrimination experienced and/or observed across the APSI in accordance with the APSI’s Complaints and Grievance Policy which outlines the process to report Ensuring females are represented as equal role models with the intention Consider adopting the following Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPS), established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, and also encourage the APSI to join this community further down the track. Interaction Providing a means to keep in touch with members and nurture a sense of community through social events, forums, members

discrimination.

Although not explicit to instructing and snowsports, new research in the Harvard Business Review finds that while both men and women benefit from having a network of well-connected peers across different groups, women who also have an inner circle of close female contacts are more likely to land executive positions with greater authority and higher pay. Stereotypes, discriminatory social norms and a lack of representation remain some of the most pervasive barriers to gender equality around the world and is evident within our industry. Even when laws and policies are in place, deep-seated attitudes about gender roles can hold back substantive change. We need visible role models of diversity – not only women, but older instructors, Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people of colour within the APSI. The APSI ‘Advancing Women in Snowsports’ committee is just the start of what should be a cultural shift towards representation, diversity and inclusivity in our organisation.

One of the first actions of the AWS was to help launch the APSI Gender and Diversity Survey to the APSI membership to find out how diversity impacts you in our industry. THANK YOU to all who gave their input. As this publication goes to print, the AWS committee has just received the results from the survey and as such only preliminary analysis has taken place. However, there is strong recognition from members that change within our industry needs to be undertaken in regards to gender equity and inclusivity. Over the Summer the AWS, in collaboration with the APSI board will further analyse the data and will be developing an action plan to put in place. These will be announced at the next Trainers coordination in Winter 2021 and published soon after on the APSI website and newsletters. Look out for social media posts over the summer as we delve into the survey results to listen and hear members thoughts and opinions and their contributions to our industry. We welcome all participation and involvement from all APSI members and can be reached at AWS@apsi.net.au

Angela Pope, Chair Woman on behalf of the Advancing Women in Snowsports committee

Introducing the Advancing Women in Snowsports committee members

Hi, I’m Jane, I live in Jindabyne and am a passionate Nordic skier of some 25 years. I actively compete in citizen cross-country marathons and the annual Masters’ World Cup competitions conducted in various locations in Europe, USA or Canada during the Northern winters. I became a Nordic Instructor and APSI member seven years ago. Since then, my instructing role has increased greatly, and I have successfully created and been running Masters’ Nordic skiing skills improvement programmes for the last 4 years. These have seen a large participation by women. Since late 2019, I became the Managing Director of the K7 Ski School. Other highlights of my instructing career so far are selection onto the APSI Demo Team (Nordic), attending Interski Bulgaria in 2019 and of course, being voted to represent female APSI members on the AWS Committee. I put my hat into the ring of the AWS because I am passionate about increasing the participation and opportunities for women in the APSI and the snowsports industry in general and believe that this will help to grow the sport of Nordic skiing here in Australia too.

Hi, I’m Bobbi Kelly. I was fortunate enough to grow up ski racing in my home resort of Perisher. I have my Level 4 APSI and am a Level 1/2 Trainer for APSI. I’m a race coach at PWSC and am a guide for the Australian Para Team. I’m really passionate about gender equality in sports. I’m currently in a program with the Australian Institute of Sport working with Diverse Women in high performance sport. Learning about increasing opportunities for women in sport and helping overcome barriers. I joined the AWS to help champion and enhance women to reach their full potential and excel within themselves.

Hi, I’m Shauna Rigby. I am an experienced Alpine trainer with the APSI and ski instructor based in Thredbo, New South Wales and have been involved with the ski industry from the moment I left school in 2010. Through 17 winter seasons, 5 certifications and re-sit exams, multiple injuries and one INCREDIBLE Interski adventure, I have had my fair share of experiences. Still there is nothing I love more than being a part of the alpine community and being lucky enough to provide memorable ski experiences for my clients, both old and new. However, despite the positives that come with the job, it has not always been a smooth journey. The international ski industry, like many other industries, still needs to make further progress to improve gender equality, inclusiveness, and respect for the contribution of women. I am honoured to be a voice for both women and men on this committee, and to use my passion and experience to support the Snowsports industry create a better, more inclusive, and supportive place for current and future professional female athletes. My hope is the Advancing Women in Snowsports committee will help to nurture, educate and, importantly, create opportunity for all to enjoy each step of the way through their snowsports journey. Here’s to a bigger and brighter future for the Snowsports industry!

Hi, I’m Chloe Gaffery. My home resort is Perisher but now I live in Whistler, Canada so Whistler Blackcomb is my second home. For me, it’s been 10 years in the industry but I feel like I haven’t worked a day. Snowboard has also been my primary, but I’ve found that skiing and snowboarding can complement each other so why not work at both?! There are many highlights of my career but a favourite would have to be working with Camp Quality and Perisher to coordinate the Undefeated Rail Jam 2017, 2018 and 2019. Not only memorialising a fellow instructor, but raising funds for charity and providing Camp Quality families with snow play experiences. For me, female supervisors and trainers have not only demonstrated career possibilities that were previously considered improbable, but also have inspired to build on their achievements. This has turned my gap-year, into an amazing gap-decade. When I joined APSI as a snowboard trainer in 2018, I sat at a table of all the snowboard trainers APSI currently had. There might have been about 15 of us at the table that day and as I looked around, including myself, there were three females total. Although I was still absolutely ecstatic to be there, I’m proud to now be a part of the AWS team to hopefully inspire a shift in that statistic. Snowboarding and skiing everyday, loving what I do, it just doesn’t get better. So with the opportunity to share this passion with those new to the industry, comes the opportunity to support and develop women. What a privilege!

Hi, I’m Angela Pope, I started in the snow industry well over a decade ago but only decided to become an instructor with the APSI in 2013. I am a Level 3 APSI trainer for Alpine but have race coach, telemark, park & adaptive certifications too. I fell in love with this industry and believe everybody regardless of gender, age, race or background should have the opportunity to reach their full potential; whether it be achieving your level 2 or 4, or enjoying the sport without discrimination. Women in sports are the minority and this is symptomatic across a wide range of industries, not just ours. We can do more! We can do better! I believe that the equal partnership between women and men is foundational to strong communities and societies. I speak with my fellow AWS Committee members when I say I am so excited and inspired for the future in which men and women can build one another up and allow everyone to aspire to reach new heights. I want to ensure the pathways for future females in the snowsports industry remain at the forefront of the APSI’s objective and feel so privileged to be given the opportunity to advocate for this.